Box treating apparatus



June 11, 1940. c. B. cooK BOX TREATING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1938 INVENTOR. B Cook.

Charles E 1 .L B

June 11, 1940. c. B COOK BOX TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'\-'ENTOR. Charles B. Cook.

i I I I I I I I g I I I F 5 IIIIIIIIIIIA I! III VIII /l'II/IIII/l June 11, 1940. c. B. cooK BOX TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IXYENTOR. Charles B. Cook.

UNITED STATES ing moved. 20

Patented June 11, 1940 PATENT OFFICE 2,204,011 I a Box TREATING APPARATUS Charles B. Gooln'Los Angeles, Calif.

Application June 20, 1938, Serial'No. 214,773

4 Claims. 01. 21 -80 This invention relates to improvements in box treating apparatus. x

The general object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus which is particularly 1 adapted for use in treating citrus field boxes in such a manner that mealy bugs or any other detrimental or injurious pests will be destroyed,

and wherein the box will be preserved;

A further-object of my. invention is to provide an improved box treatingapparatus which is a box treating apparatus wherein a container is provided with a novel sprocket fchain arranged spirally and in a fashion so that boxes maybe moved thereon and wherein novel means is provided for treating the .A further object of the invention is to provide a box treating apparatus including a cylindrical container having a reduced central cylindrical column therein and a sprocket chain arranged spirally around the central column to convey boxes from adjacent the top thereofto I adjacent the bottom thereof.

An additional objector myinvention is to provide a novel sprocket chain. I 1

Other objects and the advantages of this'in- I vention will be apparent from the'following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved box treating apparatus;

.Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 o fFig. 1

with portions broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view of the Idischargeside ofthe device with portions broken away;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44: of Fig. 2;"

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 615 an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line e-e of Fig. 4;

Fig. "7 is an enlargedfragmentary elevation taken on line "I -4 of Fig. awith portions broken away; 1

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectionaliview oi the in secticide pump;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged "View, partly in section, showing the conveyor chain; I

Fig. 10 is a sectiontaken on Fig.9; x I I Fig, 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line II-Il otFi g. 4;

boxes while they arebe fragmentary top plan Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of the entrance closure device;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line I 3-I 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line I4-I4 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line I5-I5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing the gas and water flow control. device; I I I I Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 18 is a section taken on line I8I8 of Fig. 17; and

tioned in the housing I2 and extending from the bottom to the topthereof I provide a hollow circular'oolumn member I I which is of less diameter than the housing.

1 Below the housing I2 Ifprovidean air blower member I8 which includes an inlet conduit I9 and an outlet conduit 20. 1 The blower is adaptedtorbe driven. by an electric motor 2|. As

shown the blower inlet conduit I9 extends upwardly into the housing through a suitable aperture in the bottom wall I5. The upper end of the blower inlet conduit I9 is positioned in the space between the side walls of the housing I2 and the column I1 and extends a predetermined distance above the bottom wall I5. The blower outlet conduit 20 extends upward through a suitable aperture in the bottom wall I5 and opens into the interiorof the column I'I.

In the present construction I have shown my I apparatus as adapted to receiveboxes at entrance A (Figs. 1 and 4) which is located adja:

cent the top of and at one side of the center.

ofthe housing I2. I

The boxes are adapted to be discharged from the apparatus at exit B which is located adjacent the bottom of the housing and is positioned at the rear of the housing. I

For conveying boxes such as indicated at 22 from the entrance A to the exit B I provide an endless sprocket chain which is indicated gen orally at 23 and shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10. The chain 23 is helically arranged around the column ll intermediate the column and the side walls of the housing.

Adjacent the entrance A the chain 23 is supported on a drive sprocket 2 3 which is mounted on a shaft 25 which is journaled in suitable bearings 26 and extends through the side of the its length by a plurality of spaced transverse housing [2 where it has a sprocket 21 thereon. The sprocket 2? is driven by a sprocket chain 28 from a sprocket 29 on the armature shaft of an electric motor which is shown as mounted on a suitable bracket 3| extending outwardly from the top of the housing.

Adjacent the exit B the chain 23 is supported on an idler sprocket 32 and whence itpasses through a suitable aperture in the bottom Wall 15 and curves towards the entrance. side ofthe device to .a location directly below the drive sprocket 2'! where it extends upwardly over an idler sprocket 33.

Between the drive sprocket 24 and the idler sprocket 32 the chain is supported and guided by an angle iron chain guide member 34 which is helically arranged around the column I! intermediate the side walls of the housing and the column. The angle iron member 34 is .positioned with one flange thereon vertical .andwith the vertical flange towards the column ii. The angle iron member 34 is supported throughout members 35 which are suitably secured to the side walls of the housing and the central column and the rollers are adapted to engage the verti-' and 10). spaced downwardly extending flange portions 42 between which a roller member 53 is. positioned. The link section 38 includes a pair of cal flange of the chain guide 34 (see Figs. 9-

The link section 3'! includes a pair of' spaced downwardly extending flange portions M between which the flange portions 42 of the section 37 are positioned. The flange portions 42 of the section 37, the flange portions 44 3 of the section 38 and the roller Mare connected by a suitable pivot member 45. The rollers-43 extend below the downwardly extending. flangesof. the chain links and engage the horizontal flange of the chain guide 34 to support the con veyor chain. 'When the rollers 43 are in engagement with the outwardly extending flange of the chain guide as the tops of the chain links extend above the vertical flange of the .chain guide.

Thusiwhen abox is positioned on the conveyor chain. it will not contact the chain guide 3 2.

Extending inwardly from the chain guide 34 I provide a plurality of rollers 4'! which. are evenly spaced throughout the length of the chain. guide. As shown in Fig. 11 each of the rollers 41 is rotatably mounted on a rod 48 which is secured to the vertical flange of the chain guide 34 as b welding it thereto. Intermediate the chain guide 34 and theside walls of the housing 92 I provide a pipe member 49: which-extends fromthe entrance A to the exit B and is helically arranged to match the curvature of the chain guide 34. Like the chain guide the pipe 49 is supported by brackets 52 on the transverse members 35.

The tops of the rollers 4 and the top of the entrance and exit I employ a closure member ,5 lwhich is shown in detail in. Fig. 12. This ole-- sure member comprises a shaft 52 on which a plurality of flat metal strips 53 are mounted. These strips hang free and have their upper ends looped around the shaft 52. An angle member 54 serves-to limit the movement of the strips 53 in one direction.

For heating the air which" iscirculated in the housing I2 I provide a gas burner member 55 which is positioned in a container 56 in the bottom wall l5 (-see Figs. 5 and 14). As shown the upperedges of the container 56 extend above the bottom l5 apredetermined distance so that water which is placed in the bottom of the housing wi ll'not-flow into the container.

Gas is furnished to the burner 55 by means of a'pipe 5'! which communicates with one side of a control'valve 58. The other side of the control valve has a gas supply pipe 59 communicating therewith whichhas a shut off valve 66 interposed therein.

As shown in Fig. 14 the bottom 15 has a vertical drain pipe; 6| therein which is externally threaded to receive an internally threaded closure cap 62. The closure cap fiz has a vertical overflow pipe 63 therein the upper end of which extends above the bottom I5 to aposition below the upper edges of the burner container 56.

Adjacent the inside of the exit BI provide a vertical-bulkhead 64 which extends from the housing side wall to the column I! and from the bottom l5'upward toadjacent thetransverse support members 35 thereabove. v k

Above the burner 55 I provide a water tank 65 which extends from the bulkhead 54 part way around thehousing and from the central column to the side walls of the housing l2. A portion of the water tank 65 is covered by a solid member 66 and'the remainder is covered by a screen member 6! to prevent refuse from falling into the tank. The bottom wall of the water tank 65 has a Vertical drain pipe 68 therein which is externally threaded toreceive an internally threaded.- closure caps 69. The closure cap 69 has a verticaloverflow pipe IE! therein the upper endof which extends upward into the water tank a predetermined distance below the top thereof.

V Positioned in the central column I"! below the water tank 65 and above the upper end of the blowerinlet conduit I9 I provide a horizontal conduit 'H. One end of the conduit H is posi. tioned adjacent the blower inlet conduit l3 and the. opposite end is positioned adjacent the opposite end of the burner so that heated air may be drawn from the space at that end of the burner into the blower inlet conduit.

Adjacent the water tank 65 on the outside of the, housing I2 I provide a tank 12 which has ..one side; of a shirt off valve-18.

side of the valve I8 has a waterwsupply ipipew'llt tends upward into the tank 12 and terminates-in a float controlled valve I5 were. 3). The oppo site end of the pipe 74 communicateswith a pipe. 16 which extends upward in thecentral column I 1 I III to. adjacent the top thereof andthen descends in coiled formation asat "I7 and terminates in The opposite communicating therewith whichlin turn communicates with a suitable source of water supply notshownn 1 Also communicating. with the pipe It I provide a pipeBIl which has a shut off valve'8l iintere posed therein and communicates with a control valv 82 which is located adjacent the gas control valve 58. From the valve 82 a pipe 83 extends into the housing I2 to provide water in the bottom of the housing.

Asshown in Fig. 16the gas control "valve 58 .is of the type which includesa vertically movable I operating stem Mflwhich when movedlupward.

restricts passage through thelvalve. The water controlvalve 82 is of the type which includes a vertically movable operating stem 85 which when moved downward restricts passage through: the

valve.

\The gas control valve stem- 84 is slackly connected adjacent one endof a horizontal' -beam member 86 as at/-81. Thewater controllvalve stem .85 is slackly connected adjacent theoppm site end of the beam 80 as at 8811*;Intetrr1ediatei the valves the beamm'ember 86-has .a. V'notch 09in1the upper face thereofJ' Positioned in the V notch 89 I provide a triangular fulcrum bar 90 which is supported in abracket 9I'mounted on the bottom plate I5. Above-the bracket Ill adjacentthe top of the housing I provide a bracket Iii! which extends outwardly fromthe housing and has a depending rod 93rigidlyp secured thereto. I

Therod 93 is made of metal having a low ,co-. efiicient ofexpansion land thelower end thereof includes .a threaded portion 94 on which an inverted U-shaped stirrup 95 is secured by nuts. 96.

Intermediate the valve 158 and theunotch 89 the beam 86 has an inverted V notch 91 in the lower face thereof in which a triangular pivot bar 98 carried by thestirrup $5. is positioned. Above the stirrup 95.the rod 93 has an arm .member 99 projecting therefrom towards the valve 02. The upper end of a coiled spring. I00 is connected to the arm 99 and the lower end of the spring is connected to the beam was at IOI. I

When the device is operating and-the heat \within the housing. is sufficient to expand the metal side walls of the housing the rod 03 is moved upwardly therewith thus swinging the end of the beam 86 towards the-valve .i'ifiupward and therebyoperating the gas control valve toward a closed position. At the same time. the end of the beam I36 towards the valve 82 swingsdownward thereby operating the water control valve 82 towards a closed position. c a

As shown in Fig. 6 atone station on the an}- paratus I provide a conduit I02 which extends outWa-rdlyfrom the central column I! and opens thereinto, the opposite end of the conduit being.

closed. Intermediate the length thereof the conduit I02 has an opening I03 in thelowerface thereof. Positioned in the conduit I02 I provide a pipe. I04 which includes a downwardly di rected end portionwhich is positioned in the conduit opening I03 and has a spray nozzle I05 thereon below the conduit.

I04 ex- As clearly shown in. Fig. 7 the pipe tends downwardly to a pump member I00 adjacentwhich it'has a check valve I01 interposed therein. Thepump I00 is positionedin 'a container I08 which has a partition IIIQ thereacross to form a tank portion IIO. Y

The pumpcI06 may be of any. standard type which includes a casing I I2 (seeFig. 8) having a diaphragml I3 therein which is connected to'a rodv I I 4. The pump includes an inletpipe H5 opening thereinto with the opposite end. positioned in the tank portion IIO. Adjacent the pump the inlet pipe I I 5 hasa check valve I I6 111- terposed therein.

Adjacent the top reach of the conveyor chain 9 23 I provide an arm member I I! which is mount ed on a shaft I I8 and includes an upwardly bowed portion I I9 whichis positioned between the conveyor chain 23 and the pipe 49 and projects upwardly into the path of travel of the boxes 22 inthe apparatus; l

The shaft '8 is supported in a suitable bearing I (see Fig. 4.) and extends out of the hous;

ing I2 Where'it has a lever arm 12! thereon extending oppositely to the arm I. arm I2I is connectedby a link I22with one end of an arm I23 which is pivoted intermediate its length as at I24 to a bracket I25 in the container I08. The opposite end of the arm I23flis slackly connected ;to the pump rod I I4 as at I26.

In operation the tank portion III] is filled with a liquid insecticide as shown in Fig. 7.

parent that when the arm III is moveddownwardly by a box the diaphragm N3 of the pump will be moved downwardly to cause a change of insecticide in' the tank IIO to be drawn into the casing H2. When the arm II'I returns to normal position the diaphragm II3 rises'thus causing the charge of the insecticide in the cas ing I I2 to be dischargedthrough the pipe I04 and the spray nozzle I05 intoa box therebelows As shown in Fig. 6 below the second reach of the conveyor chain 23 I provide a horizontal conduit I21 one end of which opens into the central column I1 and. the opposite end into a verticalconduit I28' onthe outside of the housing 12.. The conduit 12! includes a pair of discharge nozzle members'l29 spaced one at each'side of the conveyor chain 23 and arranged todirect air onto the bottom of a box directly above the conveyor chain. I

. To allow air from the nozzles I29 to strike the box abovethe conveyor chain I provide idler rollers as :rotatably mounted on a rod I32 supported in bosses I33 one of which. is on the central column I! and the other on the chain guide 34. The

other roller I3I is pivotally mounted on. a boss I34 on the pipe49.

The rollers I and I3! are of suliicient diameter so that when a box engages them and passes thereover it is raised off the conveyor chain 23. thereby allowing fluid from the nozzles 1 I29 to strike the bottom'of the box formerly engagedby the conveyor chain.

Above the conduit I21 I provide a similar hori zontal conduit I35 one end of which opens into the vertical conduit I28 and the oppositeend is closed. The conduit I35 includes an elongated downwardly directed discharge qnozzle I portion I36 to direct' air downwardly into a box. I

As shownin'Fig. 13 at another station on the apparatus I provide. a horizontal conduit I31 one end of which opensinto the central column I1 and the opposite endinto a verticalconduit I38 on the exterior of the housing I2. The con- The lever- I30 and I3I.' The roller I30 is shown duiti-I3'lincludes a plura'lity of downwardly die rected :dischargenozzles I39 an-dtIM. The 1102- Below the second reach of the conveyor chain" I provide a horizontal conduit I41, one end of which opens into the vertical conduit I 38 and the opposite endis closed. The conduit I II includes an elongated upwardly directed discharge nozzle portion I42 for directing air against the bottom of a box as it passes thereover. I

Above the third reach; of the conveyor chain I provide a horizontal conduit I 43 one end of .whichopens into a vertical conduit I44 on the Outside of the housing I 2. Opening into the conduit I44 the side wall I4 of. the housing I2 has an elongated vertical slot I 45 therein, in

which a discharge nozzle member I46 is positioned with the discharge end of the nozzle flushwith'the inner face of the side wall I4.

Opposite the discharge nozzle I40 the central- 9 column. I I' has an elongated slot I 41 therein in which a discharge nozzle member I48 is positioned with the discharge end of the nozzle flush with the outer face of the'column II.

The discharge nozzles I46 and I48 direct air onto the outer surfaces of the 'sidewalls'of a box as it passes thereby.

Steamgenerated in the tank 65 and from the water-in the bottom of the housing mixes with the air circulated by-the blower I8 and forms a fog in the apparatus. To remove this fog from a box before it leaves the apparatus I provide a blower member I50 which includes an inlet I5! and an outlet I52. The blower I50 is shown as including a drive sprocket I53 which is driven 40, by a sprocket chain I54 from a sprocket I55 on the armature shaft of a motor I55.

One end of an inlet conduit I5! communicates with the blower inlet I51 and the opposite end enters the housing I2 adjacent the exit Bwhere 5-. it includes a downwardly directed portion I58.

One end of an outlet conduit I59 communicates with the blower outlet I5I and theopposite end enters the housing I2 adjacent the entrance A where it includes a downwardly 501 directed portion I60. i

'From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the blower I50 is operating air will be drawn thereinto from the interior of the housing adjacent the exit B through the conduit I51 iand be discharged through the conduit I59 into the housing adjacent the entrance A. Thus as a box passes below the portion I58" of the conduit I51 the fog in the box is. withdrawn therefrom. As a boxenters the apparatus and" passes directed thereinto.

Boxes may be moved into the apparatus in any desired manner but in the accompanying drawings I have provided a short conveyor below the portion I 00 of the conduit I59 fog isni'snr [6.15 in: any desired; manner such. asi'by' an other; conveyor device: not shown. Boxes are preferably placed on the conveyor mechanism I6I with. the open tops; facing upward so that they enter andpass through the treating apparatus I0 with their open tops upward.

From thev foregoing. description it will be apparent that the box. conveyed through the apparatus I0 on the conveyor chain 23 is first filled with a fog from the conduit I59 and at one point a liquid insecticide is sprayed into thebox by the nozzle I05. At another'point hot foggy air is directed into the box by the nozzle I36 and at the same time the box is raised off the co'nveyor chain 23 and hot; foggy air is directed from the nozzles I29 against the bottom of the box formerly occupied by the conveyor chain. At

still another point hot foggy air is directed against the inside surface of the side walls of the box by'the nozzles I39 and Hand at the same time hot foggy air is directed against the bottom of the box by the nozzle I42. At still another point ho-t foggy air is directed against the outer surfaces of the box by the nozzles I46 and I48.

As a result of the repeated treatment at different locations the insecticide, fluid and hot foggy air is forced into all the cracks and crevices of the box and a thorough action is thus secured. This treatment insures that all portions of the box will be reached.

It will thus beseen that with my apparatus I 0 very little floor space is required for a long distance of travel of the box and that throughout the long period of travel the box is subjected to heat and the action ofhot fluid vapor or fog.

In Fig. 17 I have indicated a modification of my box treating apparatus generally at I12. The apparatus "2 is similar in most respects to the previously described apparatus I0 and like portions thereof are indicated by similarly primed reference numerals. The apparatus H2 is proportioned to receive and convey therethrough a box such as indicated at I13 which is positioned on the conveyor chain on one of its sides with the open top facing outward. This necessitates placing the insecticide spray nozzle I05 on the side of the housing as shown in Fig. 18.

The side wall I4 of the housing I2 adjacent the inlet A has an elongated slot I14 therein in a position wherein it is approximately in line with the lower side of a box on the conveyor chain. The blower outlet pipe I59 opens through the side wall of the housing I 2 above the slot I74 in a position so that it is slightly below the r upper side of a box on the conveyor chain.

The blower inlet pipe I51 opens through the side wall of the housing I2 at the outlet portion B in a position intermediate the upper and lower side walls of a box on the conveyor chain.

When the apparatus I12 is operating and a box I13 moves into a position to'receive the blast of air from'the conduit I59 the. air blast enters the box adjacent the top wall thereof, strikes the vertically disposed bottom of the box and moves downward striking the lower side wall of the box which directs it towards the slot I'M through which it passes carrying with it any leaves, dust or other refuse which may have been in the box when it entered the apparatus.

From the foregoing description it willbe apparent that I have provided a novel box treating apparatus which can be economically manufactimed and whichis highly efiicient in use.

Having thus described my invention I claim: 1. In a box treating apparatus, a housing closed at the topand bottom, said housing including an entrance portion and an exit portion, one of said portions being adjacent the top of the housing and the other portion adjacent the bottom thereof, a central hollow column in said housing extending from the topto thebottomthereof,

means to circulate fluid in said housing, and said central column, a conveyor within said housing and outside of said central column, means to withdraw fluid from a box at said exit portion and to discharge it into a box at said entrance portion, and a conduit member extending outward from said central column and adapted to discharge fluid into the space between said col- 2 gun and the outer wall of said housing.

2. In a box treating apparatus, a housing closed at the top and bottom, said housing including an entrance portion and an exit portion, a conveyor between the entrance and exit portions, a central hollow column in said housing extending from the top to the bottom thereof, means to circulate fluid in one direction in said central column and in a reverse direction in said housing, a plurality of spaced discharge outlets extending outward from said central column and disposed to discharge fluid into the space between said column and the outer wall of said housing atvarious angles and means to withdraw fluid from a box at the exit portion and todischarge it into a box on the conveyor.

3. In a box treating apparatus, a housing closed at the top and bottom, said housing including an entrance portion and an exit portion, a central hollow column in said housing extending from the top to the bottom thereof, means to provide circulation through said housing and said hollow column, a plurality of spaced conduit members extending outward from said central column and adapted to discharge fluid into the space between said column and the outer wall of said housing, an endless conveyor positioned between said column and the outer wall of said housing and arranged in helical formation, a guide in said housing adjacent to the outer wall'thereof and arranged in helical formation, an open topped container in the bottom of said housing between the outer wall thereof and said central column, the upper edges of said container being spaced above the bottom wall of said housing, a burner member in said container, means to supply fuel to said burner, atank in said housing between the outer wall thereof and said central column, said tank being positioned above said burnenmeans to con-.

vey water into said tank, said means including a float controlled valve to maintain a predeter mined water level in said tank, a blower member, said blower including an inlet and an outlet,

means to drive said blower, an inlet conduit having one end communicating with said blower inlet and the opposite end opening into said housing at said exit portion, and an outlet conduit having one end communicating with said blower outlet and the opposite end opening into said housing at said entrance portion. I

4. Ina box treating apparatus, a housing closed at the top and bottom, said housing including an entrance portion and an exit portion, a central hollow column in said housing extending from the top to the bottom thereof, means to provide circulation through said housing and said hollow column, a plurality of spaced conduit members extending outward from said central column and adapted to discharge fluid into the space between said column and the outer wall of said housing, an endless conveyor chain in said housing, said chain being positioned in said housing between said column and the outer wall of said housing and being arranged in helical formation, means to support said conveyor chain, means to drive, said conveyor chain, an open topped container in the bottom of said housing between the outer wall thereof and said central column, the upper edges of said container being spaced above the bottom wall of said housing, a burner member in said container, means to supply fuel to said inlet and the opposite end opening into said housing at said exit portion, an outlet conduit having one end communicating with said blower outlet and the opposite end opening into said housing at said entrance portion, a fluid supply tankassociated with said housing, pump means,

means connecting said pump means to said supply tank, a pipe leading from said pump means to said housing, the discharge end of said pump being disposed in said housing and directed to discharge into a box on said conveyor chain and "means operated by a box on said conveyor chain for actuating said pump means.

, CHARLES E. COOK. 

